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lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Julian Fellowes knows how to turn a phrase but the story drags on way too long. At the 300 page mark I was waiting for it to end. Much more was needed at the start to develop a sense of mystery and tension. The unraveling of the truth preoccupies most of the book and is at in unhurried pace. I skimmed the last 100 pages.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cheery, comfy, enjoyable, not hard to follow, but hard to put down!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, this was a good book. I liked how it was character focused, but some of the characters got mixed up in my brain since they had similar names. It was sometimes hard to keep the characters straight as to who was who.
I felt like there was a plot devise that was kind of silly, but without it you really didn't have much of a book if it wasn't there.
It transported you to the time period and what life was like for those who lived in England early to mid 1800's.
I felt like there was a plot devise that was kind of silly, but without it you really didn't have much of a book if it wasn't there.
It transported you to the time period and what life was like for those who lived in England early to mid 1800's.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Rating 3.4*. This was a thoroughly entertaining historical novel, complete with nouveau riche and aristocrats, "upstairs" and "downstairs". The story circles around the illegitemate child of an up-and-coming tradesman's daughter and a future earl. The child, Charles Pope, grows into a young man who knows nothing, but is a bit perplexed at the high society fawning around him. The reason for the last bit is that the tradesman's wife, Anne, tells the paternal grandmother that she is not, indeed, the last of the line. The attention Charles gets causes a lot of jealousy, with resulting intrigue.
The writing and dialogue sometimes feels a bit off, I kept wondering whether some words and expressions would really be used at that day and age. However, this doesn't really deter from the high entertainment factor and likeable characters. Although this is by now means stellar literature, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The writing and dialogue sometimes feels a bit off, I kept wondering whether some words and expressions would really be used at that day and age. However, this doesn't really deter from the high entertainment factor and likeable characters. Although this is by now means stellar literature, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As I started this book, I thought "Ah, I am in the hands of good writer." The opening chapter, set around the famous ball held the day before the Battle of Waterloo, does an excellent job of setting the scene and establishing the characters. Alas, the story then moved forward 25 years and we are set adrift among the tedium of Fellowes desccribing various Victorian households--wallpaper, boudoirs, chairs, etc. The bones of a good potboiler are there as we have a lost heir, a damsel engaged to the dastardly villain, etc. But the story is just dreadfully slow. Mr. Fellowes goes on and on, explaining repeatedly what his characters are thinking and experiencing. But he commits one of the major sins of writing--he tells us things, but does not allow his characters to show through their actions. One of the central characters around whom the story revolves, Mr. Charles Pope, hopeful owner of a cotton mill in Manchester, is a cipher. And also frightfully dull. For contrast, I point you toward the character John Thornton in Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.
I understand that this story has been turned into a six-part mini-series. Perhaps that is what it should have been in the first place.
I understand that this story has been turned into a six-part mini-series. Perhaps that is what it should have been in the first place.
I can't pinpoint what I didn't enjoy about this book but overall I just didn't find it very interesting.
https://ancasicartile.wordpress.com/2017/11/13/belgravia-julian-fellowes-recenzie/
A fost odată ca niciodată, că de n-ar fi nu s-ar povesti… A fost odată în societatea londoneză un micuț cartier numit Belgrave. Era alcătuit numai din case luxoase locuite de familii ce aveau istorii lungi în spate și nume ilustre. Printre mătăsuri, bijuterii, rochii înfoiate și coafuri cu bucle bine definite, își făceau loc cele mai întunecate secrete și se cosea tapiseria celor mai incitante intrigi.
A fost odată ca niciodată, că de n-ar fi nu s-ar povesti… A fost odată în societatea londoneză un micuț cartier numit Belgrave. Era alcătuit numai din case luxoase locuite de familii ce aveau istorii lungi în spate și nume ilustre. Printre mătăsuri, bijuterii, rochii înfoiate și coafuri cu bucle bine definite, își făceau loc cele mai întunecate secrete și se cosea tapiseria celor mai incitante intrigi.
A lovely period piece from the executive producer of Downton Abbey. An interesting story with a few twists and turns.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated